Mikael and Cassy walk through an open area, filled with machine parts, car batteries, a small generator, and a bunch of other pieces of scrap metal and junk - all organized into different parts of the open room, before arriving at another door. She opens the door to reveal an apartment with a kitchen, a bathroom and a bedroom, where a young man is sitting down typing away at a computer.

The man is tall, somewhere around Mikael's height, maybe taller. He's fair skinned and has a lean, unathletic physique.

"You didn't send your sister this time." The young man says to Mikael. It's the same voice from the intercom.

"I don't send Ramiel here, she just happens to know the residence of Chica's *ex-boyfriend*." Mikael replies.

Both stare each other down for an extended period of time before Cassy intervenes. "It's too early for this, you two."

She walks to a desk across from her and picks out two *hypogenerators*, before tossing them over to Mikael, which he catches easily.

"There. Your refills." The man says. "They've each got three charges this time. Try not to hit your head on the way out...Be a shame if you had to waste a charge on yourself here."

"Nice try, Matty." Mikael says. "Actually, I'm here for more than just refills this time."

"What else is there?" Matty asks.

"I'll get to that in a second, but my partner's still outside."

*A few minutes later, after Marvin is brought into the room.*

Cassy and Matty are sitting down on the bed, whilst Marvin walks in and Mikael shuts the door behind him.

"Woah, a regular human? How'd he get down here?" Matty complains and makes to get up before Cassy stops him. "He's a half-breed. He can see and interact with these things."

"Mikey, you better start explaining what's going on." Matty says.

"Alright, alright." Mikael starts. "First of all, Marvin..." He turns to Marvin and points at Matty. "This is Matthew Malek...Matty, this is Marvin Kaine."

"Nice meeting you." Marvin says, politely.

"It must be." Matty replies sarcastically before returning his eyes to Mikael. "The suspense is killing me, you know?"

"Well, remember..." Mikael continues. "...my encounter with the Hand?"

"You mean the only reason I'm helping a Winnower? yes, I do remember." Matty responds.

"Well, About a week ago, I met a member of the Hand again." Mikael says.

"You're kidding. *The* Hand? The one you said make the World Eaters look like fodder?" Cassy asks.

"Actually, I'm not. What's more..." Mikael continues further. "A few days ago, A bunch of Enclave people stormed the Hold and I found a woman who's also infected with this...Alpha Virus."

Matty's eyes open wide in shock. "Wait, what? Another *victim*?"

"Yeah. Makes sense too, because the member I met also said something about the birth of a *new* Fallen." Mikael says.

"That can't be good." Cassy says. "Won't that spell problems for you?"

"Already has." He replies "The Society has declared its intent to find and defeat the Hand. I don't think it's possible though."

"Any other major info you're yet to reveal?" Matty says with a grimace.

Mikael narrows his eyes on Matty. His casual expression changes into a serious one. "I want you two to leave Bayside."

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Cassy is shocked by this request and Matty isn't convinced Mikael is serious. "What's the reasoning behind that outlandish request?"

"You're already ex-communicated for being with a human being and turning her into a Preter-Sensitive person." Mikael starts. "If the Society finds out you've been aiding me in any way, they could be coming for your head if they don't find me-"

"You aren't a criminal, Mikael. We've done nothing wrong by associating with you." Cassy says, barely containing the frustration in her voice.

"Fair. But all you've just heard is information that the Society currently doesn't have and they will be looking for me to get this information. Chances are, they'll force my hand. I can't have either of you dying."

"You can't just say that like we'll just roll over and die." Matty says.

"I know *you* won't. " Mikael retorts. "Cassy...she's a regular human being. She can't fight for shit. Do this for her."

Matty stares at Cassy, as she returns a worried gaze.

"She makes money here. She practically works enough for the two of us." He says, with a defeated sigh. "Where would we go?"

"That's where my partner comes in." Mikael says and turns to Marvin. Marvin returns a shocked face to Mikael's serious look.

"Huh?" Marvin blurts out. Matt and Cassy both stare at him.

"My family has a small two-bedroom apartment in Luluville Beach." He says. "It's pretty spacey and also old...I haven't been there in about five years."

"You both could get jobs there. Start over." Mikael says.

"Don't start with this selfless shit, Mikael." Matty replies angrily. "What about you? Do you have a plan to get rid of the Alpha Virus? Do you have a plan to escape the Winnowers?"

"One thing at a time, Matt." He replies. "Your life is a priority. If you die, I don't have a lifeline against this virus. I might as well be on the side of the Fallen."

Suddenly, a sharp sensation hits through the four of them.

"Someone got through the Veil." Cassy says.

"Yes. And it's not just one person..." Matty says.

"Marvin." Mikael says. "I need you to do something for me. You're about to test out your new Soul Tool."

*Above ground. Inside the Dilapidated building.*

Marvin arrives above ground in the elevator and steps out cautiously. He slowly walks over to a broken pillar and hides behind it. He overhears a couple of voices a few meters out. He listens in closely.

"...They're here? This place is a dump." a voice goes.

"Quit your whining. The intel says the half-breed is here. And apparently people live here." another one says.

Marvin takes a peek outside the pillar and spots four people in red uniforms. They are all masked and have their Soul Tools out, ready for combat.

Wondering what to do here, Marvin makes to reenter the elevator, but kicks a stone in the process, alerting one of the assailants. They in turn, inform the others and following a brief moment of silence, Marvin is missed by a hair's breath as a beam of red flames destroys the pillar he is hiding behind.

Marvin quickly draws out his Soul Tool, his bo staff, covered in a blueish-green aura.

"Seems like we don't have to look any further." One of the assailants says.